Govt seeks explanation from DHS

SHILLONG, May 28: The state government has sought an explanation from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) on the eviction of the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), Shillong from the old NIFT campus without a notice being served.
Principal Secretary (Health), Sampath Kumar on Saturday said it was an unfortunate incident that called for an explanation and as such, the government asked for it.
There is a process but the procedure adopted in this case is completely wrong. It is a serious thing, he added.
The IIPH, Shillong was on Friday made to vacate the old NIFT campus instantly by some senior health officials when classes were going on. It was learnt Director of DHS, Dr Aman War had led the officials.
According to IIPH officials, the government, through a notification on November 2 last year, had allotted the old NIFT campus to the institute and it was using three rooms there.
However, on Friday, the health officials showed up without any prior notice and directed, rather rudely, that the site be vacated at once.
The action had left the institute, including faculties and students, shocked. Currently, it is functioning from the Old Malaria Office where it has its administrative block.
The IIPH, Shillong was established by the Public Health Foundation of India in collaboration with the Meghalaya government. The mandate of the institute includes capacity strengthening and improving health outcomes through engagement in research, education, training, policy and advocacy activities.
The institute houses two research centres – the Centre for the Study of Complex Malaria in India and the Regional Resource Hub for Health Technology Assessment in India.